MANAGEMENT PLANS — THE NATIONAL FORESTS 9 



area covered by young growth or an old burn or a different forest 

 type would be set out as a subcompartment. Again, the subdivision 

 may be based on logging chances or timber sales. 



A complete division into subcompartments does not have to be 

 made at the time that management is initiated; from time to time 

 there will be need to subdivide as sales are made, fires occur, and 

 other conditions come about that change the character of a part of 

 the stand in a compartment. The number of subcompartments will 

 be in direct proportion to the intensity of management, to the length 

 of time that a given area has been under systematic treatment, and 

 to the complexity of the composition or character of the stand. Well 

 chosen subcompartments show for themselves on the ground and 

 usually need no artificial marking of their boundaries; the bound- 

 aries should, however, be shown on the map. 



DESIGNATION OF UNITS 



In the designation of blocks, compartments, and subcompartments 

 on the ground, on maps, and in reports, it is good practice to give 

 names to blocks and compartments, usually suggested by outstanding 

 topographic features, and to number or letter subcompartments. 

 However, in working circles in which the terrain is cut up into 

 many small gulches and in which timber sales are of small size, 

 subcompartments may sometimes be given names that identify them 

 with the topography. 



Where the public land survey is the basis of division, management 

 units may be designated by townships, ranges, and sections. 



COLLECTION OF DATA 



The complete and intensive plans presented as models in the text- 

 books require a formidable array of accurate field data. Much of 

 this information is of a kind that can be accumulated only after 

 years of investigation and experience. In many of the national 

 forests there is a decided shortage of such essential data as regional 

 yield tables, tables of growth b}^ species or types, and stock and stand 

 tables for various types. 



In many national forests the immediate need of the public for 

 timber is too pressing to permit the shelving of applications until 

 complete and satisfactory management -plan data are obtained. To 

 meet this situation, which bids fair to continue for some time, some 

 plan is needed at once even though com2:)lete and comprehensive data 

 are lacking. ^ It remains essential, nevertheless, that the principles of 

 sustained yield, proper silviculture, and sound economics be safe- 

 guarded and that the course of exploitation in every working circle 

 be directed along lines that will at least lead in the right direction. 



It is entirely possible to construct plans that will not only serve 

 all immediate needs, but will at the same time initiate systematic 

 management, on the basis of a rather meager showing of funda- 

 mental data. A simple plan, the primary purpose of which is to 

 provide for the cutting of the various stands of timber in the order 

 indicated by their silvicultural needs and the dictates of good busi- 

 ness judgment and in a manner that will assure satisfactory repro- 

 65771—28 2 



